Improvement in folding chairs



-3 Sheets-Sheet 1'. W. H. STERNBERG.

FOLDING-CHAIRS.

N. PEI'ERS, PHOTd-LITMOGRAPHER WASHINGTON 0 c SSheets-SheetS. W. H. STERNBERG.

FOLDING-CHAIRS.

N 194 331, Paten'ted Aug. 21,1877.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIG'E,

WILLIAM H. surnnmsnnaor WIGHITA, KANSAS.

IMPROVEMENT m FOLDING CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,381, dated August 21, 1877 application filed December 26, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. STERN- BERG, of Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick,

' and in the State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Chairs; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this the efficiency and durability of folding chairs.

It consists in the construction and combination of the pivoted or folding portions of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawings, A and A represent two bars that form the front legs of my chair, which legs are connected together in parallel lines by means of one or more rungs, B, that extend between their lower ends, and are so pivoted to or upon the outer faces near the longitudinal centers of two bars, 0 and G, that form the rear legs, as to permit of being placed in a line with or at a right angle to the same, as desired. i

The bars 0 are connected together near their lower ends by means of a rung, D, and at their upper ends by a second rung, E, so as to insure their relative positions. I

The bars A extend upward and rearward, and terminate at a point considerably above the upper ends of the bars O,and between the rear upper ends of the former is pivoted a frame that forms the back of the chair, which consists of two side rails, F and F, that are connected together in parallel lines by means of a cross-bar, G, whichextends between their upper ends, a second cross-bar, E, that is placed slightly below their longitudinal center, and a rung, I, which is placed below the latter, upon a line vertical to the rung E.

The lower end of each rail E rests upon the rear upper face of the contiguous bar 0, while between the rungs E and I extends a strip of 'flexible material, K, which is secured to the same, and forms the seat of my chair.

As thus arranged it will be seen that when weight is applied to the seat K, the natural tendency of the rungs E and I would be to move together, but such tendency is overcome by the tendency of the upper front portions of the bars 0 to move downward and outward, and of the lower portion of the back to move rearward, the result being that said parts maintain their relative position, and mutually sustain each other. 7

In order that the strength of the chair may be still further increased, a metal bar or link, L, is pivoted at one end upon the inner face of each barO, in rear of and below the pivotal bearing of said bar, and at its opposite end is pivoted upon the inner face at the lower end of the contiguous rail F, by which arrangement the lower end of said rail is held securely in position, and prevented from moving forward or rearward upon said bar.

When the links L are employed, the rungs E and I cannot be moved apart beyond a certain point, so that the seat K, when stretched by use, would become too slack unless provision was made for insuring a proper tension of the same.

The desired result is secured by providing within the inner face of each bar A a longitudinal slot or elongated bearing, a, for the reception of the outer end of the pivot .r, said pivot being thus enabled to move downward with the bar 0 as far as the latter is permitted to move by the seat K, by which arrangement the weight of an occupant of the chair will cause said seat to be stretched to its limit at all times.

When not in use, the chair may be rendered compact by turning the upper ends of the bars Orearward, until said bars are substantially in line with the bars A, during which operation the lower end of the back will be drawn forward by means of the links L until the rails F bear against the rear upper sides of said bars 0, as shown in Fig. 1.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and In testimony that I claim the foregoing I merits of my invention, what I claim as new have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of is- November, 1876.

The hereinbefore-described chair, in which the bars A and O, rails F, seat K, links L, WILLIAM H. STERNBERG. pivots w, and elongated pivotal bearings 11 are constructed and combined in the manner witnesses: and for the purpose substantially as speci- W. N. GUNN, fied. 0. M. HUGHSON. 

